H = hybrid in luxurious 450h crossover for a smooth quiet cruiser Lexus makes quiet, comfortable and reliable vehicles as well, if not better, than most car makers and its RX crossover has been a hit for years, being an early entry into the crossover, or tall wagon, market. Certainly Lexus does nothing to embarrass itself... Continue Reading →
Braking News: Subaru Legacy Reveal at Chicago Auto Show
A big production This was my first time back to the Chicago Auto Show in over 30 years and first time as a member of the media. Thursday is traditionally the day the car companies reveal their new cars. There were several but by far the best was Subaru's for their 2015 Legacy. Wow! Click... Continue Reading →
Braking News: 2015 Subaru Legacy
Who needs the Chicago Auto Show to create a buzz? Subaru apparently didn't or just maybe they wanted the buzzing about their 2015 Legacy, based on their concept model shown here. Spy shots all over the place. The formal intro will come at the show which runs February 8-17. The only info they are willing... Continue Reading →
Braking News: Mini announces pricing for their 3rd gen hardtop
2014 MINI Hardtop which goes on sale in the spring Here in Wisconsin spring can't come fast enough. It's actually what I would consider balmy at 26 degrees as I write this blog entry. Woohoo, break out the shorts. I like the Mini brand because they remain dedicated to their core product while finding new... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: CMC 1969 Ferrari 312P Spyder
CMC’s new Ferrari a masterful recreation of a racing beauty By 1969 Ferrari had already been embarrassed by Ford and its GT40 for several years at LeMans and at various other endurance racing venues. It also had boycotted the 1968 sports car endurance season after its 4.0-liter 330 P4 was banned, after winning the 1967... Continue Reading →
2014 Toyota Corolla S Premium
Simplicity, reliability, economy = Corolla Our family owned a Toyota Corolla in the 1980s and it’s on that generation of Corolla’s reputation that Toyota has built its automotive empire. Simplicity, reliability and economy were the building blocks and the revamped 2014 Corolla appears to continue that corporate line of thinking. There are no surprises here,... Continue Reading →
Braking News: Automotive Bowl Ads
Car ads in the Super Bowl They pay a crapfull of money to buy ads in the Super Bowl so at 4 million bucks and have one, maybe two shots to grab viewers' attention. This year Audi, CarMax, Jaguar, Kia, Hyundia, Toyota, and VW are all swinging for the fence. Check them out ahead of... Continue Reading →
New boss at GM wants to speed up product development
“I’m a person who looks at the glass as half-full,” she said. “I also believe if you have a problem you better solve it. Because if you don’t solve it, you won’t be here or the company won’t be here.” That was a statement in an interview with The New York Times that caught my... Continue Reading →
2014 Kia Forte EX
Common sense Forte also sporty, fun, loaded with goodies Kia cranks out another winner with its updated Forte compact sedan, a near sport sedan with a modern sporty look and common sense price tag and performance. The Forte is stellar in nothing, but good at everything. Such solid execution from a car maker creates the... Continue Reading →
Wienermobile for a day
Win a chance to ride in the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile for a day! The first version was created in 1936 by Oscar Mayer's nephew, Carl G. Mayer, and variants are still used by the Oscar Mayer company today. I've always thought it would be cool to ride in one. Even better for a whole day.... Continue Reading →